Detection of Taenia saginata antigens in faeces by ELISA.

Stool samples were examined by capture ELISA for the presence of T. saginata antigens. The specimens were from 303 patients infected with T. saginata, 43 samples from individuals suffering from bacterial, fungal, protozoan and nematode infections and 36 ones deriving from uninfected persons. The samples were diluted 1:10 (w:v) in PBS + 0.35% Tween 20, centrifuged twice at 5000 g for 20 min at room temperature and resulting supernatant at 12,000 g for 30 min at 0 degree C. The capturing and detecting polyclonal antibodies were prepared in rabbits immunizing them with T. saginata surface antigens. The stool samples freshly obtained, stored at 4 degrees C not longer than 72 h, or kept at at -20 to -30 degrees C even for 24 months showed reliable results in ELISA. The samples kept for a long time at 4 degrees C, dried and covered with moult were negative in the test. All samples taken from patients infected with other than T. saginata parasites or uninfeced were negative.

Factors conditioning detection of Taenia saginata antigens in faeces.

The conditions which optimize detection of T. saginata antigens in faeces were subject of examination. The most appropriate appeared diluent of PBS + 0.3% Tween 20. The highest effectiveness was achieved using capturing and detecting antibodies to surface antigens in comparison with somatic and metabolic ones. Two step centrifugation and final dilution of samples 1:10 (w:v) were recommended. The stability of freezed faecal supernatants after the first centrifugation was limited to 2 months. The sensitivity of capture ELISA established in our examinations allow to signalize 1 ng/ml antigen in high absorbance values. The antigens recognized by the test had MW bigger than 100,000.

Selected epidemiological and clinical aspects of malaria in the material of the Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine in Gdynia.

Despite numerous endeavours to eradicate malaria remains a problem to be solved. This is reflected in high morbidity and mortality rates in endemic zones of this disease, and in the continually growing parasites resistance to the drugs applied within chemoprophylaxis and the treatment employed. In the compass of 1976-1987 a group of 20 thousand people, back from the tropics, was examined. In that number 415 having suffered from malaria while stay in the endemic zone of the disease, in 64 patients malaria was diagnosed in the course of the examinations. They were all subjected to the therapy in the IMTM. In several cases serious complications occurred. In the conclusions the authors point at the insufficient and inaccurate use of chemoprophylaxis the necessity of adopting individual procedure towards each patient and of considering the possibility of Plasmodium sp. infection in the people with the fever of the aetiology unknown, referring their stay in malarial regions.

Examinations of digestive system parasitoses in people back from the tropics and subtropics.

The paper presents results of epidemiological-clinical studies of digestive system parasitoses in persons (seamen and other professional groups) back from the tropics. The author carried out multidirectional examinations (general medical with rectoscopy, laboratiorial: parasitological, microbiological, mycological and epidemiological) of 3,315 persons. The results were evaluated statistically. He defined the frequency of particular parasite invasion in men in dependence on region of stay, profession, length of service and age, and frequency of occurrence of symptomatic parasitoses as well as clinical picture of particular parasite species invasion. Special attention was paid to amoebiasis which the author separated from the whole material under analysis. The author made a comparison between cases of imported (181) and indigenous (164) amoebiasis as well as amoebiasis found in foreigners coming from tropical countries and staying in Poland (38). On the basis of many years observations of persons cured of amoebiasis he analysed the probability of occurrence of postamoebic syndrome. The material under examinations allowed to recognize the picture of digestive system parasitoses imported to Poland from the tropics.

Treatment with praziquantel the Taenia saginata infection in men.

Praziquantel given in single doses of 12, 15 and 20 mg/kg body weight was applied in treatment of Taenia saginata infection (61 persons) and in four doses against Hymenolepis nana infection (1 person). Only one person not being cured shows that the compound has given a very high cure rate in clinical trial. 10% of patients treated complained of subjective mild side effects, which disappeared during 24 h after drug administration.